Career Advice

Getting a Job in the Fashion Industry

Fashion is an industry that isn’t always taken seriously. Often written off by academics, fashion is an incredibly competitive field to get into, so you’ll need a lot of determination and skill if you’re going to thrive!

There are a number of different avenues to take if you love fashion. For example, outside of design there are a wide range of other creative roles, including styling, photography and merchandising. If you’re determined to take a more academic career path, marketing or journalism could be the route for you, putting a creative spin on a potentially dry niche.

On Trend

So what do you need to do to get into this industry? Firstly, make sure that your passion shines through – not just for trends, but for your individual interests that will make you stand out. Keep up to date with the latest industry news by reading respected magazines – and familiarise yourself with blogs to widen your immediate knowledge.

It’s widely known that trends begin with street style, so you’ll need to keep a keen eye on lookbooks! But this isn’t where it ends; fashion is influenced by anything from travel to culture and even politics, so don’t limit your knowledge to one area. This will enable you to spot an emerging trend and understand its historical roots. Although it’s vital to stay current, don’t forget your history – many new trends are influenced by previous eras, so research what we used to wear to develop your understanding of how fashion has evolved.

Getting Noticed

Now you have the knowledge, use it to get noticed. Prove to prospective employers that you’re passionate enough to inform others. The best way to do this is online by starting up a fashion blog. To help it grow and gain a following, use social media to interact with others with similar interests. Experience in using social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest is beneficial to anyone looking for a job in Marketing or PR. However, don’t forget that everything you say online, stays online – so you should think before you scribble!

It’s important to reflect your personality through your work but remain professional at all times. This applies to what is put on your blog too. Remember to keep it relevant and see each written piece as an example of your excellent writing skills and creative flair.

A top tip for developing a successful blog is to get involved in the blogging community; comment on other blogs and develop a relationship with influential bloggers who may share your work. You never know who you might meet!

Experience

Lastly, you will need to gain valuable, professional experience in the industry. Fashion blogging can sometimes open the door to lots of opportunities, but if it doesn’t, don’t give up there. Look for internships at magazines and agencies. This will prove to prospective employers that you’re ambitious and willing to work hard, and it will give you an insight into the industry and whether it’s right for you. Don’t limit yourself to bagging an internship at a top company either, many smaller agencies have fashion labels on their books and they may be much more willing to let you get stuck in. After all, how will tea making help you gain experience for your CV? It sounds nerve-wracking, but the best thing to do is to pick up the phone and sell yourself. The worst thing they can do is say no, and you may just get some invaluable advice on where to start in your career.

Good Luck!

This article was written by Sarah Leeds on behalf of ASOS, retailer of women’s clothing, lingerie and accessories.